The Bangladesh cricket team recorded a historic win over New Zealand in the first test of the two-match series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium last week. The victory was monumental for the Tigers in many ways as it was their maiden home Test victory over New Zealand.
Nevertheless, Bangladesh can make the whole series memorable by winning or playing a draw in the second match, which will be taking place at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from Wednesday.
What have they done so far?
In the first test, Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and Bangladesh decided to bat first at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Mahmudul Hasan Joy played a reliable 86-run innings for the Tigers, however, he lacked support from the whole batting line-up. Skipper Shanto played a fiery 37-run innings off just 35 deliveries, smashing two sixes and three fours.
Nevertheless, with a few small scores from other players as well, Bangladesh managed to reach a total of 310 runs in the first innings. Surprisingly, Glenn Phillips picked up four wickets for the Blackcaps.
New Zealand also faced problems in building partnerships. However, Kane Williamson‘s century stood out as he was the main reason behind the Blackcaps crossing the 300-run mark getting all out at the score of 317 runs as Taijul Islam took four wickets.
In the second innings, Shanto outright led his side by scoring a spectacular century. Mehidy Hasan also came to the skipper’s rescue by scoring a half-century and even staying not out until the end. Nevertheless, Bangladesh got all out for a total of 338 runs, giving the Blackcaps a total of 332 runs to chase.
The target turned out to be a mammoth sum for the visitors as they started losing early wickets. Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Williamson, and Tom Blundell, no batter managed to score decent runs as Taijul Islam’s left-arm orthodox spin started rampaging. Islam took six wickets and also completed his 10-wicket haul against the Blackcaps as Bangladesh won the match by 150 runs.
Head to Head Record
Over the years, Bangladesh and New Zealand have played 18 test matches against each other. The Blackcaps have won 13 matches while Bangladesh has only managed to walk out victorious on two occasions, one of which happened last week.
In January 2022, Bangladesh visited New Zealand for a two-match test series, which also ended as a draw because the Tigers won the first match by eight wickets and then lost the second one by the margin of an innings and 117 runs.
Key Players
Taijul Islam (Bangladesh): Taijul Islam exhibited his bowling prowess on the world stage against the Blackcaps during the last test match. Taking four wickets in the first inning while conceding 109 and bowling nine maiden overs, Islam had a much-improved performance in the second innings.
Leaking only 75 runs, the left-arm orthodox bowler took six wickets against the Blackcaps. Hence, Bangladesh supporters will be expecting another dominant performance from the orthodox spinner.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Kane Williamson holds the ability to lead the Blackcaps’ batting line-up as showcased by his magnificent century against Bangladesh in the first match.
Kane Williamson scored a magnificent century against Bangladesh in the first Test
Consequently, he has to give a similar performance and score a potential 30th Test century of his career if the former skipper wants the Blackcaps to draw the series.
Predicted XIs
Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto ©, Shadman Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shahadat Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Taijul Islam
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee ©, Ajaz Patel, Neil Wagner
Prediction
Najmul Hossain Shanto led Bangladesh towards their first home victory in the first test over New Zealand. Moreover, they can add another chapter of greatness in the history books if they manage to win the test series against the likes of the Blackcaps.
The bowling unit of Bangladesh along with the batting line-up has to perform to their fullest to hold the Kiwis who have some of the most experienced players in their playing line-up. In 2022, the two sides played a 1-1 draw in the test series and this time, the same results are expected to prevail.